“Christmas Offerings” is sure to satisfy Third Day fans and draw in some new rock lovers as well, lending its classic Southern rock grit to a mix of nine Christmas classics and four original songs from the band. Several tracks were recorded traditionally, while others were laid down live in a theater recording session in Atlanta, Third Day’s home base. The result of all this fusion is thirteen tracks of warm Christmas cheer that goes past the standard holiday fare and enters into the realm of sincere worship. An offering, actually.
Even as Mac Powell’s familiar rough vocals soar from opener “O Come All Ye Faithful,” Tai Anderson’s twangy bass line assures you that “Christmas Offerings” is going to be more than the ordinary holiday album. The tasty guitar riffs and gently sizzling keys of “Do You Hear What I Hear?” second the motion. But it is the slight Celtic take of the band’s own “Born in Bethlehem” that first grabs your attention. Throughout the project the band’s intricate, crisp arrangements stand out, at times for their unexpected delicacy (“Angels We Have Heard on High”), at other times for their solid rock flavor (“Joy to the World”).
Third Day keeps the petal to the metal all the way through, never letting the flag drop for a second. It is impossible to foretell their next direction, the classical tone and sparkling keys of “What Child is This?” taking you completely be surprise. The excitement of the live “First Noel” is tangible, the songs’ strings glorious. The quiet pop-rocker, “Christmas Like a Child,” brings John Lennon to mind with both its tone and even Powell’s vocals, very nicely done. I love the down-home feel of “Away in a Manger” and never saw that honky-tonk piano coming for a minute. And the original “Merry Christmas,” written to the young Chinese girl waiting to be adopted, is a moving closer. But I’d have to say the most powerfully poignant track is their lush rendition of “Silent Night,” a Christmas show-stopper if ever there was one with its sing-along closing. Its intricate and lovely strings make it a new Christmas classic. Third Day's “Christmas Offerings” will enrich your Christmas experience for years to come.
Suite recommends for your Christmas worship, another rocker's very special and meaningful take on Christmas, Todd Agnew's "Do You See What I See?" Moya Brennan's lush "An Irish Christmas" gives a lovely Celtic flavor to the holiday, and families will love "Snow" from Go Fish.
